Max Bakke Photo
The DOT shows neighbors the plans.
Commuters traveling along Route 69 between New Haven and Woodbridge may one day find relief to the congestion that gathers around the Wilbur Cross Parkway access ramps, according to a proposed plan by the State Department of Transportation (DOT).
The plan, which was presented to a group of about 50 area residents Tuesday night at Mauro-Sheridan Magnet School, will eliminate all southbound traffic flowing onto Route 69 from Pond Lily Avenue, a small street that doubles as a Merritt Parkway northbound on-ramp. That would create more time, and ease congestion along Route 69, for drivers traveling north and south, said Tom Borden, a DOT project engineer.
Changes “are in their earliest stages,” said Borden.
Construction on the $4.1 million improvements are not likely to begin until April 2018. They are scheduled be completed by the end of that year.
The plan calls for other small improvements, such as the implementation of sidewalks along Route 69, the movement and shortening of crosswalks at the Route 63 – 69 intersection, as well as islands and other traffic calming measures.
They include:
• Establishing a stop sign for westbound Pond Lily Avenue traffic preceding the Parkway on-ramp.
• Installing a traffic signal at the northbound Parkway off-ramp at Exit 59, and adding an extra lane.
• Creating a second, left-turn lane at the southbound off-ramp at Exit 59.
Route 69 will also be widened in the area of Starbucks, and opposite Merritt Avenue, said Borden.
State officials were joined at Tuesday night’s session by city Mayor Toni Harp and Woodbridge First Selectman Ellen Scalletar, who praised the proposal. Harp said it is about time that the area is updated to accommodate the modern-day needs of commuters.
“At its worst, it’s an inconvenience, but [these issues] grow exponentially worse when economic and safety concerns are taken into account,” she said.
Residents stressed the need for long-term solutions to the area around Exit 59, but remained positive that these initial improvements will have an impact.
“It’s great to hear,” neighbor Jamison Scott (pictured) said of the proposed changes. “This is the best plan that I’ve seen to accomplish these short-term solutions.”
Scott, who operates Air Handling Systems in Woodbridge, said he’s been following the proposed plans for the area since studies were first commissioned on easing these traffic issues back in 2010. He stressed that existing congestion along these thoroughfares imperil area business, harms the environment, and creates an unsafe roadway for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Borden (pictured) said the area became a priority with the DOT as early as 2010, and long-term plans for the area are forthcoming. Trouble spots that the department is looking to address are the entry to the Starbucks on Route 69, Amity Road, the Exit 59 southbound on-ramp and smaller Woodbridge streets where congestion is worst during rush-hour periods.
After the meeting, Frank DeLeo was one of several residents who pored over images of the proposals with DOT representatives.
“It’s an improvement, and it’ll be done in a timely manner, which I think we’ll be happy with,” he said.
Borden said the 2018 start date is necessary to allow for the DOT to complete project designs as well as pursue the possible purchase of rights-of-way from local business owners along Route 69.
The project is funded primarily through the federal Surface Transportation Program and from additional state resources. State DOT officials expect to release more information about long-term Exit 59 changes, and possible improvement to the Heroes Tunnel next year, Borden said.
The nearby southbound entrance at Ext 59 has accidents every day because of the short on ramp. This area also needs improvement planning.